Archive
Browse the full archive of Microscope online content - see our most recent articles listed below, or browse by year of publication.
2018 Stories
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August 23, 2018
23Aug2018
News
SMEs struggling to keep on top of storage
Research from Seagate reveals that many UK SMEs are struggling to keep on top of their data storage Continue Reading
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August 23, 2018
23Aug2018
News
Comparex exposes council server software vulnerabilities
Thanks to a Freedom of Information Request the channel now knows just how widespread the use of unsupported server software is among councils Continue Reading
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August 22, 2018
22Aug2018
Opinion
The hidden costs of doing business with vendors
Technology is starting to shed light on more of the mechanics of how the channel works with vendors and Nick Booth finds out about one of the latest offerings Continue Reading
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August 22, 2018
22Aug2018
News
Silver Peak increases SD-WAN support for partners
The vendor has rolled out a programme that will provide those looking to get to grips with SD-WAN with training and certification Continue Reading
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August 22, 2018
22Aug2018
News
ScanSource snaps up Salesforce partner Canpango
Another deal struck in a summer of consolidation sees ScanSource increase its CRM options with Canpango Continue Reading
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August 22, 2018
22Aug2018
News
Peach and Getronics add to summer of consolidation
Peach IT and Getronics have both struck acquisitions adding to a growing list of deals that have been made over the last few weeks Continue Reading
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August 21, 2018
21Aug2018
News
Commercial customers keep PC market ticking over
Demand from enterprise users meant that last month remained a positive one for those selling PC hardware Continue Reading
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August 21, 2018
21Aug2018
News
Six Degrees Group buys CNS Group joining the growing list of summer deals
Cloud managed services specialist Six Degrees has moved to add cyber security depth to its offering Continue Reading
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August 20, 2018
20Aug2018
News
Adept picks up Shift F7
This is turning out to be a summer of reseller consolidation in the channel with another deal being struck Continue Reading
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August 20, 2018
20Aug2018
News
CompTIA issues mixed channel report
The industry group has found that the channel is facing some constraints in its mission to grow Continue Reading
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August 20, 2018
20Aug2018
News
LAN3 positioning for a software defined future
The networking specialist is celebrating its 10th birthday and has seen plenty of changes in the networking market since it started in 2008 Continue Reading
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August 17, 2018
17Aug2018
News
Shearwater moves for Brookcourt to extend security reach
The move by Shearwater Group for Brookcourt Solutions will bring the two security player together in a deal worth Continue Reading
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August 17, 2018
17Aug2018
Opinion
MSP Day 2018 - Only the beginning
Jason Howells, EMEA Director, Barracuda MSP, shares his views about building on the success of the first MSP Day Continue Reading
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August 16, 2018
16Aug2018
News
Lenovo talks of turning corners and intelligent transformation
The vendor has shared a set of Q1 numbers that are much healthier than the ones it issued this time last year Continue Reading
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August 16, 2018
16Aug2018
News
Vendors under pressure to generate better channel data
The information that a lot of vendors have around rebate, MDF and marketing programmes is nowhere near as good as it should be Continue Reading
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August 16, 2018
16Aug2018
News
Privacy concerns driving security spending
Forecasts of what will happen with worldwide spending on security over the next couple of years means those developing a MSSP approach should be in a strong position Continue Reading
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August 15, 2018
15Aug2018
News
Synaxon gives greater voice to MSPs
The channel services group will be listening more to its managed service focused members to make sure it is heading in the right strategic direction Continue Reading
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August 15, 2018
15Aug2018
News
LAN3 looking for growth
The networking specialist is looking to start its second decade of existence with its sights set on growth Continue Reading
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August 15, 2018
15Aug2018
News
Egress Software rises on the back of demand for GDPR help
The data protection specialist has seen a strong first half of the year thanks to customers looking for answers to their GDPR problems Continue Reading
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August 14, 2018
14Aug2018
News
Qualys rolls out MSP and consultant support
The security player has an offering that should appeal to MSPs and consultants Continue Reading
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August 14, 2018
14Aug2018
Opinion
Shouting over the gender gap
Things are being done but the shouting over the gender gap is far from over says Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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August 14, 2018
14Aug2018
News
Channel still has plenty of work to do around GDPR
The data protection regulations might have been in place for a few months but there are still plenty of customers not yet up to speed and chances for the channel to make a difference Continue Reading
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August 13, 2018
13Aug2018
Opinion
AI Cops Walk the Thin Line Between Fin Tech and Fiend Tech
Steps are being taken to ensure that AI and machine learning do not damage consumers finds Nick Booth Continue Reading
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August 13, 2018
13Aug2018
News
Veeam: Pushing the services opportunity
In an on-going series of Q&A's with channel executives the questions this time were put to Greg Bailey, director channel and cloud, Veeam UK and Ireland. Continue Reading
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August 10, 2018
10Aug2018
News
Dell EMC launches Enterprise Preferred Channel Programme
Dell EMC take collaborative approach to channel enterprise sales with new programme Continue Reading
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August 10, 2018
10Aug2018
News
OCSL becomes Cancom's UK hub
The German firm is looking to reassert itself in the UK and the acquisition of OCSL provides it with a hub to push further into the market Continue Reading
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August 10, 2018
10Aug2018
News
Channel roundup: Who's gone where?
Summer holidays might be in full swing but that does not stop the channel appointments coming thick and fast Continue Reading
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August 09, 2018
09Aug2018
News
NTT bringing comms, security and Dimension Data together
The Japanese based firm hopes that by bringing its various operations under one roof it can pitch harder for digital transformation business Continue Reading
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August 09, 2018
09Aug2018
News
Nutanix says fresh programme will benefit more partners
Nutanix drops ‘one-size-fits-all’ programme and rewards partner investment over revenue targets Continue Reading
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August 08, 2018
08Aug2018
News
Extreme Networks signals data centre channel changes coming
The firm has indicated in its Q4 results that further steps will be taken to bed in the acquired Brocade's data centre business Continue Reading
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August 08, 2018
08Aug2018
News
Users feel restricted by vendor contracts and tech choices
There seems to be a gap between the vendor ambitions to make everything simple and what is happening on the ground Continue Reading
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August 07, 2018
07Aug2018
News
Elite Group talks acquisitions after securing refinancing
The unified comms specialist is looking to expand the business further after getting more backing from Lloyds Continue Reading
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August 07, 2018
07Aug2018
News
Epson signs Network Group up to ReadyInk programme
Print vendor extends reseller numbers able to deliver its pay-as-you-go ink replenishment service Continue Reading
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August 07, 2018
07Aug2018
News
Mode Print Solutions gets private investment backing for MBO
The print management specialist has capped off five decent years of growth with an MBO Continue Reading
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August 06, 2018
06Aug2018
News
Channel should use the summer to improve strategy planning
There is plenty that could be done in the summer weeks when business is traditionally that bit slower Continue Reading
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August 03, 2018
03Aug2018
News
Forcepoint: GDPR still a channel opportunity
The impact on the security player from the EU data compliance regulations has been more than just a sales opportunity according to Neal Lillywhite, VP EMEA Channel at Forcepoint Continue Reading
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August 03, 2018
03Aug2018
In Depth
Too much silence in the Brexit debate
Business in general has been fairly quiet about Brexit and the channel has been no exception but that might not be the best strategy Continue Reading
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August 02, 2018
02Aug2018
Opinion
When it comes to privacy, technology is only part of the story
Philippe Ortodoro, VP EMEA Channel Sales, TrustArc, explains why the coming two years are going to be a business bonanza for the channel Continue Reading
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August 02, 2018
02Aug2018
News
Managed print services gaining ground
Managed print services have been around for a while but they are being taken up with increasing enthusiasm by customers Continue Reading
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August 01, 2018
01Aug2018
News
SMEs changing the bundles approach
Bundles have often been a bit hit and miss but thanks to the need to cater them for SME customers things are improving Continue Reading
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August 01, 2018
01Aug2018
News
HP bolsters copier position with Apogee buy
Apogee has found itself the target of a deal as HP looks to increase its chances of gaining a major foothold in the A3 copier market Continue Reading
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July 31, 2018
31Jul2018
In Depth
Storage roundtable: Hyperconvergence and channel opportunities
In the second part of the MicroScope storage roundtable the discussion moves onto hyperconvergence and how vendors are supporting their channel partners Continue Reading
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July 30, 2018
30Jul2018
In Depth
Storage roundtable: Cloud and MSPs
In the first part of coverage of MicroScope's storage roundtable the debate begins with a focus on the shift by customers towards the cloud and the movement by the channel to become MSPs Continue Reading
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July 26, 2018
26Jul2018
Opinion
Your finger for your phone?
Just how far will some people go to make sure they are not separated from their smart phones? Billy MacInnes is bemused by some research that claims to have the answer Continue Reading
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July 26, 2018
26Jul2018
In Depth
Plugging the security skills gap
Government is doing its bit to raise the profile of the need for more cyber security skills but the IT industry is also picking up the baton and working hard to improve the situation Continue Reading
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July 26, 2018
26Jul2018
News
Microsoft price changes to come from October
The vendor is taking steps to remove some of the complexity in its pricing and make it easier for customers to get an idea of cost regardless of whether they are buying on-prem or in the cloud Continue Reading
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July 26, 2018
26Jul2018
News
WatchGuard reacts to SME authentication gap
SMEs have long thought of multi-factor authentication as beyond their means but the need for protection is increasing as Kaseya has found in some research Continue Reading
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July 25, 2018
25Jul2018
News
BlueJeans extends channel programme
The video conferencing specialist has increased the incentives and rewards for those prepared to meet the requirements of its revised partner programme Continue Reading
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July 25, 2018
25Jul2018
News
Smallest businesses failing to grasp the security threat
Those firms employing 10 or less people have a laid back attitude to security that could land them in trouble Continue Reading
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July 24, 2018
24Jul2018
Opinion
Software defined networking, it’s a question of why rather than WAN
SD-WAN is due to accelerate but Nick Booth wonders just quite when that is all going to happen Continue Reading
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July 24, 2018
24Jul2018
News
Customers need cloud experience both on and off prem
One of the talking points at the recent MicroScope storage roundtable was around the shift towards off-prem with vendors concluding that the experience is what really matters more than the location Continue Reading
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July 24, 2018
24Jul2018
News
Digital transformation driving SCC growth
The channel player has delivered a fifth consecutive year of growth as it meets customer demands for digital transformation expertise Continue Reading
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July 23, 2018
23Jul2018
News
Software and services suppliers face portfolio challenge
Making sure that everyone understands the full range of technology and services that are on offer is a challenge for vendors as well as for their channel partners states TechMarketView Continue Reading
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July 23, 2018
23Jul2018
News
Channel roundup: Who's gone where?
A busy week with senior executives being appointed at a number of firms to help steer the ship and get more out of channel relationships Continue Reading
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July 20, 2018
20Jul2018
News
Westcoast sets out with HANNspree to carve out AV reputation
The distributor might not be closely associated with the AV market but it has revealed intentions to change that with a vendor and management appointment Continue Reading
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July 20, 2018
20Jul2018
News
Nadella signals hybrid theme for fiscal year ahead
The CEO of Microsoft has indicated that it is going to work with partners around the hybrid message as it moves into a fresh fiscal year Continue Reading
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July 19, 2018
19Jul2018
News
DDoS threat rising back up the agenda
Increased digital transformation and lower costs for criminals mean that denial of service attacks are going to rise and deserve the channel's attention Continue Reading
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July 19, 2018
19Jul2018
News
Desktop 3D printing market stalls
Movement by vendors and pressure on demand in the professional desktop segment have produced a decline in Q1 according to Context Continue Reading
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July 18, 2018
18Jul2018
News
Microsoft to push migration message to Windows 7 users
A campaign starting this week will start to highlight the need for Windows 7 users to make the move to the latest OS with the end of support deadline not that far away Continue Reading
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July 18, 2018
18Jul2018
News
MSPs facing sales and marketing challenges
Findings from Datto have indicated that there are several issues that MSPs are facing with sales and marketing and staffing two of the main problems Continue Reading
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July 17, 2018
17Jul2018
News
Mitel appoints Westcon-Comstor as part of go-to-market review
The comms firm has been reviewing its go-to-market strategy for the past few months and concluded that a pan-international distributor would make a good addition to the partner roster Continue Reading
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July 17, 2018
17Jul2018
News
UKFast increases public options with ClearCloud
Firm known for hybrid and private cloud provision steps up efforts in the public space Continue Reading
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July 17, 2018
17Jul2018
Opinion
How the channel can play a vital role in reducing cybersecurity skills shortages
David Ellis, Vice President, Security and Mobility Solutions - Europe, Tech Data, argues that the channel can play a role in dealing with the security skills crisis Continue Reading
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July 17, 2018
17Jul2018
News
Customers don't have the skilled staff to man the security barricades
Gartner has warned that two thirds of users do not have the in house staff able to deal with security issues as the ongoing skills crisis continues to hit firms globally Continue Reading
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July 16, 2018
16Jul2018
News
Ransomware message getting through
High profile attacks on the NHS and the activities of the channel educating customers has made an impact on ransomware attack figures Continue Reading
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July 16, 2018
16Jul2018
News
Channel roundup: Who's gone where?
Holidays are for wimps and those working in the HR departments across the channel never take a break with the appointments continuing to clock up Continue Reading
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July 13, 2018
13Jul2018
News
Microsoft flagging channel Azure MSP experts
Ahead of the Inspire event the vendor has made it easier for those who are experts at Azure managed services to stand out from the crowd Continue Reading
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July 13, 2018
13Jul2018
Opinion
Who wants to be number one?
Vendors have an obsession with being number one in their market but is it really that important wonders Billy MacInnes Continue Reading
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July 13, 2018
13Jul2018
News
DCC makes double acquisition to bolser portfolio
A presence in the US as well as Europe and Australia is one of the benefits that comes with the acquisition of AV player Stampede and the mobile accessories business will get a boost with Kondor Continue Reading
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July 12, 2018
12Jul2018
News
Exertis brings in former Dell UK boss for next chapter
The distributor has made a change at the top as it looks for more growth with an industry veteran getting a chance to make a mark on the channel player Continue Reading
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July 12, 2018
12Jul2018
Opinion
Email is the biggest threat for businesses… but the greatest opportunity for the channel
Chris Ross, SVP sales, international, Barracuda, explains why email still remains a major target for partners Continue Reading
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July 12, 2018
12Jul2018
In Depth
Agony aunt as a service
Impartner’s chief marketing officer Dave R Taylor has some helpful advice for those trying to increase and improve their partner communities Continue Reading
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July 12, 2018
12Jul2018
News
Computacenter looking at a strong 2018
The channel player has issued a Q2 trading update that refers to growth, momentum and the prospects for the second half of the year Continue Reading
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July 12, 2018
12Jul2018
Opinion
Coming back to the channel: why it’s time to rethink reselling
Neil Robertson, CEO of Compleat Software, shares the motivation for the firm's re-engagement with the channel Continue Reading
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July 11, 2018
11Jul2018
News
SonicWall determined to gain share in the mid-market
Security vendor stepping up support for partners as it sets out an ambition to replicate SME efforts in the mid-market space Continue Reading
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July 11, 2018
11Jul2018
News
Vodafone pointing partners towards IoT and 5G opportunities
The comms firm has been getting its channel ready for the next wave of innovation Continue Reading
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July 10, 2018
10Jul2018
News
Softcat delivers investor cheer with profit beating update
The channel player has issued a trading update indicating that its Q4 is ending even more strongly than it had expected Continue Reading
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July 10, 2018
10Jul2018
News
Time for Exertis to make some changes at Hammer
More than a year and a half after it acquired Hammer the decision has been made by Exertis to re-brand an operation to focus on the enterprise market Continue Reading
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July 09, 2018
09Jul2018
News
Excalibur keeps it local and acquires in Swindon
The firm is no stranger to using acquisition as a way of extending its reach but for its latest target has looked very close to home Continue Reading
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July 09, 2018
09Jul2018
News
Channel roundup: Who's gone where?
Board room, business development and cyber security were some of the job roles where firms chose to make some changes across the channel last week Continue Reading
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July 06, 2018
06Jul2018
News
Keeping up with pace of IT change a growing problem for customers
Digital transformation might be the aim but getting there is not proving to be easy and that should spell a major opportunity for the channel Continue Reading
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July 06, 2018
06Jul2018
E-Zine
MicroScope: Getting storage right
This issue looks at what products are in demand now in the storage world and what technologies are coming that need to be embraced by the channel Continue Reading
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July 05, 2018
05Jul2018
News
Claranet adds security muscle with NotSoSecure buy
Managed service specialist builds on acquisition of SEC-1 last year with latest purchase to give more depth to its security proposition Continue Reading
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July 05, 2018
05Jul2018
News
Cisco wins court battle against grey trader
The networking vendor has won a victory against two directors of Manchester-based Gen-X Continue Reading
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July 04, 2018
04Jul2018
Opinion
You don’t need to treat clients mean to keep them keen, says WP Engine
The technology that made WordPress so easy to use is something that has caught Nick Booth's eye Continue Reading
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July 04, 2018
04Jul2018
News
Ingram signals modern workplace as a channel target
Research from the distributor and Microsoft exposes the struggles that IT directors are facing trying to satisfy staff demands for flexibility Continue Reading
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July 04, 2018
04Jul2018
News
Exclusive unifies security and cloud approach
A couple of months after it got private investment backing the distributor has outlined its future strategy Continue Reading
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July 03, 2018
03Jul2018
News
Automation a major focus at UKFast
UKFast has created a chief technology officer role to ensure it can continue to automate more processes across its business Continue Reading
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July 03, 2018
03Jul2018
News
Quadient and Quertum working on CX opportunity
Growth in the customer experience market means that those providing the tools for banks and utilities to communicate with users are experiencing healthy market conditions Continue Reading
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July 02, 2018
02Jul2018
News
Channel roundup: Who's gone where?
No time for applying the sun cream and firing up the BBQ for those working in personnel departments in the channel Continue Reading
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June 29, 2018
29Jun2018
News
Maintel picks up Atos contracts
The managed services specialist has spent millions to acquire Atos contracts Continue Reading
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June 29, 2018
29Jun2018
In Depth
The storage technologies of the future
In the second part of this series, we ask vendors and channel companies for their views on the storage technologies customers will be asking for in the future Continue Reading
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June 28, 2018
28Jun2018
News
CrowdStrike warranty stirring up endpoint debate
Legacy security products are coming under more scrutiny and one of those keen to grab the business with its channel is CrowdStrike Continue Reading
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June 28, 2018
28Jun2018
Opinion
Considerations on a European channel strategy
Brad Parks, VP of business development at Morpheus Data, shares some of the thoughts that go through then mind of a vendor looking at increasing European channel coverage Continue Reading
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June 28, 2018
28Jun2018
In Depth
Channel can take the mobile high ground with UEM
Margins in MDM might have been squeezed but according to MobileIron there is plenty of life in unified endpoint management Continue Reading
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June 27, 2018
27Jun2018
News
Scale Computing rolls out MSP programme
The hyper converged player has stepped up the support it can offer to managed service providers Continue Reading
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June 27, 2018
27Jun2018
News
Time for the data channel to add voice to the mix
With the technology shifting to the cloud and the days of expensive PBX boxes coming to an end the opportunities for the IT channel are expanding Continue Reading
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June 26, 2018
26Jun2018
Opinion
You know what’s over rated? Artificial intelligence
AI is sprinkled into almost every sales pitch but Nick Booth finds it is losing its punch with customers Continue Reading
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June 26, 2018
26Jun2018
Opinion
The rise of IoT
Craig Smith, director IoT and analytics solutions and services at Tech Data, shares his thoughts about the rise of the Internet of Things Continue Reading
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June 26, 2018
26Jun2018
News
Nutanix and SonicWall hand partners tools to target the mid-market
Both vendors have launched programmes that will help their channel partners increase sales in the mid-market customer segment Continue Reading